sithkabobed | IC CONTACT

The hand on his shoulder was little comfort as his brow creased in confusion. But the effort was appreciated nonetheless.

"I don't understand," he admits. His master was being very vague.

"Is it... because of me? Because of what happened? Or..."

And his mind goes to other recent happenings, and the only other person he's living with.

"Is it Anakin?"

Qui-Gon wasn't surprised that Obi-Wan's first thought was to blame himself, however indirectly. His grip tightened the moment he asked if it was his fault somehow, wanting his former Padawan to know without a doubt that he wasn't to blame. Far from it.

Anakin, on the other hand...

"Partially," Qui-Gon admitted, "I haven't made any headway with Anakin, and it seems that my presence upsets him more than it puts him at ease."

The fact that QG didn't blame him may have been a relief but he was troubled by his master's response. It may have well as been a yes. The younger man mulling this over as they walked.

"He's not the little boy you once knew," Obi-Wan acknowledged. That much was clear. They both knew it.

"Also, you have not been a presence in his life since then, until now. He respects you, but he does not know you. He knows me, but we have often argued and disagreed over the years as well. There are times he has even resented me."

A good example had been a few months ago. They had both struggled with Anakin.

"However... I've come to find that patience and persistence is the key with Anakin. Something I know you are all too good at."

Qui-Gon was one of the most persistent Jedi he has ever known.

"Surely you don't mean to give up on him already?"

Edited 2017-10-06 21:16 (UTC)

"I'm not giving up on him, Obi-Wan. Just as I would never give up on you."

Qui-Gon's voice remained quiet and soft. He didn't remove his hand from Obi-Wan's shoulder, either, counting on that close physical contact to accentuate his words. The last thing he wanted was another fight over Anakin, especially so soon after they'd overcome the hardships of the false memory aftermath.

"But patience can only go so far. Part of knowing how to help someone is knowing when you're doing less to help and more to exacerbate the situation."

He sighed. The muffled footsteps of the eopies filled in the silence as he considered his next words.

"Every conversation I had with him, regardless of content, led to him either assuming the worst of intentions on my behalf or twisting my words against me. It wasn't healthy nor was it conducive to his recovery."

Despite Qui-Gon's reassurance, Obi-Wan still had this sinking feeling in his stomach. A growing feeling that he was alone in his endeavor to help Anakin. It was... a very sad and lonely feeling.

"When was the last time you tried?"

Because Anakin had made great strides in the last few months. There had been some trying times, certainly, but not like that time when he thought he was losing him.

"Anakin needs support, as much as can be had. Especially now, after what has been said."

He was of course referring to Leia's recent warning.

“What happened with Leia was the consequence of an irrational reaction on Anakin’s part. She wanted to do what was right, and went through with it. Anakin has to realize that his actions all have repercussions. All of them. And he has to work all the harder to overcome the damage he’s already caused.”

It pained Qui-Gon to speak about the boy he held in such high regard this way, but he was never one to shy away from the truth.

“I want nothing more than to provide support for him, but if all my efforts are rebuffed and my advice ignored, then there is only so much I can do. At least by removing myself from his living space, I can remove some upsetting factors that can cause him to lash out and I can provide a safe space for you, Rey, and anyone else involved.”

He let his hand fall from Obi-Wan’s shoulder and come to a rest against the younger man’s elbow. He didn’t break any physical contact.

“I’m not giving up on him, Obi-Wan, but I need to consider what is best for everyone.”

At the moment Obi-Wan came to a stop to turn and stare at Qui-Gon in disbelief as realization dawned on him.

"You agree with her. Anakin is nothing more than a threat in your eyes."

It wasn't a question, it was a statement. And it left younger Jedi flabbergasted.

"You, of all people. The one who found him, insisted on training him, and was his staunchest supporter. Defying the council, and me, when you were told he was dangerous. And then giving the task to me with your dying breath. And now you're just... changing your mind?"

This wasn't the master who trained him. He could hardly believe they were even having this conversation.

"You say it wasn't my fault that I nearly killed you while under the influence of this world. Yet Anakin is to blame for a rant while he was under its influence as well? It warrants a public announcement that will only cause fear and anger?"

Obi-Wan then took a deep breath and shook his head sadly, the hurt was clear in his blue eyes.

"You say you haven't given up on him. Yet isn't inaction just that?"

Edited 2017-10-07 02:41 (UTC)

"Anakin's public spectacle was one symptom of a larger problem," Qui-Gon's voice remained steady, even in the face of Obi-Wan's distress. It didn't change how the display made his heart hurt, but he was a Jedi. He could put personal feelings to the wayside in deference to the greater good.

"It's a problem that you don't have. You've posed a threat only when under this planet's influence. The same can't be said of him," he continued as images of Obi-Wan laying prone in a hospital bed, a victim of Anakin's raging emotions, flashed through his mind. He kept them to himself, along with the heartache the visions brought.

"Despite that, my goal isn't to stand idly by. I will support you both, but I will have to do it without constant involvement. And I will have to do it with everyone's safety in mind."

Edited 2017-10-07 03:34 (UTC)

"I will not deny that Anakin has problems," he said back. His tone shifting from hurt to indignance. "It's because of that, that he needs help and support, not slanderous public remarks. The way to keep everyone safe is to keep Anakin from fulfilling his future. What Leia has done is the exact opposite of that."

He would not, and could not, agree with Leia or Qui-Gon on this matter. Again, he found himself deeply disappointed. He was a Jedi as well, and that called for compassion. Which was one of Obi-Wan's strongest traits.

"Anakin has made progress. If you would speak to him you would know as much. Unequally judging him based on past offenses, many of which were beyond his control, is unfair. If he is to blame, then I am to blame as well."

With that, Obi-Wan tugged on Rooh's reigns and continued to walk. Qui-Gon's talk of support only coming as hollow after his other comments. It was clear to him that he was alone in this matter. He would drop off the food and then be on his way.

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